During Chinese New Year, happiness and blessings filled the city. Family, friends and co-workers come together to celebrate another new beginning: enjoying the abundance of food, red packets, and greeting one another. But to many Indian children, happiness simply means drinking clean water, enjoying a nutritious meal and being able to go to school.

This New Year, join Spring Charity Barefoot Walk for Children, one of World Vision’s Famine activities, to raise funds for Indian children by walking barefoot! Support the great cause with family and friends to truly embrace our abundance by sharing and blessing others!

Date: Saturday, 13 February 2016

Location: The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club

There are two options:Barefoot Walk – In developing countries, children often have no shoes to wear and walk barefoot every day for long distance to school or to fetch water. Get a taste of walking barefoot on this 4km path. After the walk, visit the Indian village to learn about the life of Indian children. (Available Spots: 1,200)

Barefoot Walk + Workshops – To taste the life of deprived children living in slums and working as child worker in India, take part in the experiential workshops with your children or team after the Walk. (Available Spots: Barefoot Walk + Family Workshops － 400; Barefoot Walk + Team-building Workshops － 400)

To register please follow this link. Application Deadline is 22 January 2016. First come first served.

The funds you raise together with other donations received from World Vision’s Famine activities will support child health and nutrition projects in India, benefiting over 200,000 people. It will help improve access to healthcare services, and provide adequate training and knowledge for mothers to better care for children to reduce malnutrition.

About World Vision: In 1962, Typhoon Wanda hit Hong Kong severely. World Vision distributed relief supplies in Hong Kong, and later set up its first field office in the territory. With the economic recovery in Hong Kong, World Vision Hong Kong turned itself into a fundraising office in 1982, supporting the relief and development work of World Vision offices world-wide. In 2010, the people of Hong Kong sponsored over 200,000 children living in poverty, helping to fund World Vision Hong Kong’s international long-term ‘Area Development Programmes’. World Vision Hong Kong also promotes public education, raising public awareness about global issues such as poverty, hunger, health and child rights.

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A 7.8 magnitude quake struck an area of central Nepal between the capital, Kathmandu, and the city of Pokhara on Saturday morning. Although the extent of the damages is still unknown, initial reports say houses and buildings collapsed in Kathmandu and surrounding areas. Tremors were also strongly felt in northern India, in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Rescue efforts in Nepal are intensifying after more than 1,800 people were killed in the country’s worst earthquake in more than 80 years. Many countries and international charities have offered aid to Nepal to deal with the disaster. Help by making a donation. Some of these charities who are already actively involved in the disaster include:

“As the sheer devastation of the recent earthquake becomes clearer, we know that children have been the most affected by this disaster,” says Roger Hodgson, Deputy Country Director for Save the Children in Nepal. “Despite the difficulties in reaching some of the hardest-hit regions, Save the Children is mobilising much-needed items to help these children and their families. Helping those most affected by this disaster will continue to be our top priority in the coming days, weeks and months.”

To assist those displaced by the quake, the charity has begun the delivery of 136 tarpaulins in Kathmandu, while in the earthquake-affected Bhaktapur district, 180 baby packs – which include children’s clothes, blankets and soap – are being distributed to those in need. Save the Children will also begin distributing many more items to some of the hardest-hit regions outside Kathmandu Valley, including Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk districts.

The charity has launched a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising 50 million USD to assist with its aid efforts. To donate, please follow this link

MSF
A second earthquake today hit Nepal, this time with an epicentre 80km east of Kathmandu, in Dolakha district. Teams from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are conducting assessments in the affected areas, including Dolakha itself. In the Charikot area of Dolakha district they have seen villages destroyed by this second quake.

An additional MSF team is conducting an assessment by car in Bhaktapur, east of Kathmandu, while other MSF medical teams have divided and are visiting various hospitals in Kathmandu ready to intervene immediately if necessary.

This comes as the Nepali population struggles to recover from the loss of life and substantial damage that followed the earthquake of 25th April in which over 8,000 people died.

“This complicates an already precarious situation. There is going to be more trouble accessing the affected areas. MSF is strengthening its emergency operations and re-assessing the needs of those affected by the current earthquake in order to respond accordingly and immediately,” says, Dan Sermand, MSF’s Country Director in Nepal.

For the last two weeks, MSF teams have been providing medical assistance and distributing food and shelter to remote areas impacted by the previous earthquake. MSF has also set-up an inflatable hospital in Arughat in Gorkha district, which is running and serving the population affected by that previous disaster.

Red CrossHong Kong Red Cross has immediately mobilized HKD 500,000 to provide immediate relief and welcome donations from public to support the revealing humanitarian needs.Red Cross Actions
Immediately after the shock, Nepal Red Cross Society has been working on the ground for rapid needs assessment and providing immediate relief to those affected, including:
– Search and rescue in the rubbles, first aid services to the wounded
– Red Cross blood bank providing blood supplies to the main medical facilities in Kathmandu
– Setting up tents to shelter affected population
– Emergency tracing services to assist families who lost contact because of the quakes
– International Red Cross mobilized over HKD 4 million to support relief actions, and assessment teams arriving Nepal to coordinate the operation

OxfamOxfam’s team in Nepal is assessing humanitarian need following the devastating earthquake. In addition a team of technical experts are preparing to fly from the UK with supplies to provide clean water, sanitation and emergency food supplies.

Cecilia Keizer, Oxfam country director in Nepal said:
“Communication is currently very difficult. Telephone lines are down and the electricity has been cut off making charging mobile phones difficult. The water is also cut off. The number of people killed is continuing to rise. Many of the old houses have been destroyed and at least one large apartment block has come down in Kathmandu. Given the closeness to the epicentre Pokhara must also be badly affected. Oxfam is preparing to help provide clean water and emergency food. People are gathered in their thousands in open spaces and are scared as there have been several aftershocks.”

To make a donation to help with their immediate work in Nepal, please visit their website.

UNICEFUNICEF has teams on the ground in every affected district. Their focus is now on how children may have been impacted by this new earthquake. The quake follows the 25 April earthquake that left more than 8,000 dead, thousands more injured and 1.7 million children in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

You can imagine what must have happened in those hillsides that were ravaged by the quake the last time, or how this quake will not only damage the buildings that were already cracked, but the impact it will have on the already frightened and vulnerable children and young people. Read an eyewitness account from a UNICEF staff member

UNICEF has been working round the clock to get life-saving aid to children since the first quake hit. And your donations can help them deliver urgent essentials — like safe drinking water, adequate sanitation facilities, tents and medical supplies. With your support, UNICEF can provide vital counseling and child-friendly spaces to help children come to terms with their traumatic experiences.

UNICEF will do everything possible to keep children safe. But with the massive damage, they urgently need your help.

To make a donation to UNICEF to support their Nepal Earthquake Response, please follow this link.

World VisionWorld Vision Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Officer Kevin Chiu says, “World Vision has been working in Nepal for over 30 years, and more than 200 local staff are ready to join the relief efforts on the ground. Water and power ran out in affected areas, and communications are disrupted. Millions of people have lost their homes and in dire need of food, water, shelter, warm clothing and hygiene kits. They need our help urgently!”

World Vision Hong Kong has initially contributed HK$1.56 million to provide help to the quake-stricken people. Together with other donations, it will bring help, such as hygiene kits and emergency aids to survivors, and set up Child Friendly Spaces to release the emotional distress of children; which is estimated to help 50,000 people. Their local staff are assessing the impact of the quake and are ready to respond to the needs of the affected. World Vision commits its full effort to help the affected children and families amid emergency to rebuild their homes. To donate to World Vision, please follow this link.

This blog will be updated as and when more information regarding rescue efforts come in.

Chinese New Year is a time for reunion and celebration with new clothes, new shoes, festive food, and even traveling for a new beginning. Have you set new goals for the New Year? Why not start your New Year by participating in something unique and meaningful? You can bring wondrous blessings and laughter to the children afar in the conflict zone of South Sudan, by placing yourself in a South Sudanese experience in the charity barefoot walk.

Since the civil war broke out in late 2013 in South Sudan, located in eastern Africa, over a million of people, half being vulnerable children, were displaced and forced to flee from home. To stay away from the fighting, many refugees live in hideous refugee camp and rely on food provided by relief agencies. The large number of refugees has put tremendous pressure on food supply. Many in starvation are struggling to survive with some even resort to eating tree leaves.

The funds that you raise, together with other donations received from World Vision famine activities will provide support to over 400,000 refugees of South Sudan, including the provision of food aid, water containers, children healthcare and more!

Bring hope to the children of South Sudan by walking barefoot and raising funds. See you there!

Date: 28 February 2015

Location: The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club

Categories:Individual or FamilyNine-hole Golf Course Route
Barefoot walk + Game Booths ── From the starting point, participant walks barefoot to the Nine-hole Golf Course covered in green pastures to experience the challenge deprived children are facing daily (duration is about 1.5 hours). After the walk, check out the educational game booths.
(Suitable for children from 3-12 years old)
Time: 10am to 2pm
Minimum Fundraising Amount: $400 for individual, $900 for each family
Available Spots: 1,200
(Suitable for children from 3-12 years old)

Refugee Life Experiential Route
Barefoot walk + Game Booths + Experiential workshops ── After the walk, join in the special workshop to experience the difficult life of South Sudanese children.
Time: 10am-3pm
Minimum Fundraising Amount: $600 for individual, $1,600 for each family
Available Spots: 300

Corporate or Organisation“We are United” Route
Barefoot walk + Game Booths +Team building workshops ── After the walk, transform into South Sudanese refugees with your team in workshop, and learn about turbulent life in the midst of war.
Time: 10am-3pm
Minimum Fundraising Amount: $4,000 for each team
Available Spots: 50

Application Deadline: 30 January 2015
First come, first served
For more information please visit the World Vision website.

About the charity: While on a trip to China in 1947, a young American reporter, Dr Bob Pierce, met Tena Hoelkedoer, a female missionary in Xiamen. She arranged for him to talk to some children there. On the last day, she brought with her a poor girl named Baiyu (meaning white jade). After hearing Pierce’s words, Baiyu told her father that she wanted to go to school. However, she was scolded, beaten and thrown out of her family. Pierce wanted to help this precious soul, so he gave Ms Tena all that he had which was just five dollars. Ms Tena used it to buy food and clothes for Baiyu and send her to school. She asked Pierce to send the same amount each month after returning home so that she could continue to look after Baiyu.

This encounter marked the turning point in Pierce’s life. In 1950, he founded World Vision, with the aim of helping poverty-stricken children around the world. That five dollars set the prototype of the child sponsorship programme. The first child sponsorship programme began a few years later in response to the needs of hundreds of thousands of orphans at the end of the Korean War in 1953. It was later extended to other Asian countries, and places such as Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Today, monthly contributions from child sponsors enable World Vision to provide impoverished children and their communities with access to clean water, nutritious food, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, enabling them to become self-reliant. World Vision is a living tribute to Pierce’s work.

In 1962, Typhoon Wanda hit Hong Kong severely. World Vision distributed relief supplies in Hong Kong, and later set up its first field office in the territory. With the economic recovery in Hong Kong, World Vision Hong Kong turned itself into a fundraising office in 1982, supporting the relief and development work of World Vision offices world-wide. In 2010, the people of Hong Kong sponsored over 200,000 children living in poverty, helping to fund World Vision Hong Kong’s international long-term ‘Area Development Programmes’. World Vision Hong Kong also promotes public education, raising public awareness about global issues such as poverty, hunger, health and child rights.

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Chinese New Year is a joyful season filled with family celebrations! In many parts of the world, however, tens of millions of unfortunate children are struggling daily on the streets, without a safe shelter. They receive no educational opportunity; their health and lives are severely threatened. Their new year’s wish is simple – they just want a better life!

Your love and action can bring hope to these street children! Join World Vision’s Spring Charity Barefoot Walk for Children on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year (16 February 2013) with your family or friends. Have a taste of poverty through barefoot walking, raise fund to help the street children in need! And there are two routes to enjoy this experience:

Route 1: Nine Golf Course RouteTime: 9:30 am to 1:00 pmDetails: Approximately 4km long and takes about 1.5 hours to finish. Participants are strongly encouraged to go barefoot to experience the lives of impoverished children. A carnival with meaningful stall games will follow.Minimum fundraising amount:
– HK$400 for each individual
– HK$900 for each family
– HK$3,000 for each corporationQuota: 1,600 participants

Route 2: Street Life Experiential RouteTime: 9:30 am to 3:00 pmDetails: After finishing the 1.5-hour Nine Golf Course Route, try our new Street Life Experiential Route, which takes about 2 hours to finish the designated tasks.Minimum amount to be raised:
– HK$600 for each individual
– HK$1,600 for each family
– HK$5,000 for each corporationQuota: 300 participants

Date: 16 February 2013

Location: Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club

Application Deadline: 25 January 2013

For more information and to register for the event, please visit their website

About the charity: While on a trip to China in 1947, a young American reporter, Dr Bob Pierce, met Tena Hoelkedoer, a female missionary in Xiamen. She arranged for him to talk to some children there. On the last day, she brought with her a poor girl named Baiyu (meaning white jade). After hearing Pierce’s words, Baiyu told her father that she wanted to go to school. However, she was scolded, beaten and thrown out of her family. Pierce wanted to help this precious soul, so he gave Ms Tena all that he had which was just five dollars. Ms Tena used it to buy food and clothes for Baiyu and send her to school. She asked Pierce to send the same amount each month after returning home so that she could continue to look after Baiyu.

This encounter marked the turning point in Pierce’s life. In 1950, he founded World Vision, with the aim of helping poverty-stricken children around the world. That five dollars set the prototype of the child sponsorship programme. The first child sponsorship programme began a few years later in response to the needs of hundreds of thousands of orphans at the end of the Korean War in 1953. It was later extended to other Asian countries, and places such as Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Today, monthly contributions from child sponsors enable World Vision to provide impoverished children and their communities with access to clean water, nutritious food, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, enabling them to become self-reliant. World Vision is a living tribute to Pierce’s work.

In 1962, Typhoon Wanda hit Hong Kong severely. World Vision distributed relief supplies in Hong Kong, and later set up its first field office in the territory. With the economic recovery in Hong Kong, World Vision Hong Kong turned itself into a fundraising office in 1982, supporting the relief and development work of World Vision offices world-wide. In 2010, the people of Hong Kong sponsored over 200,000 children living in poverty, helping to fund World Vision Hong Kong’s international long-term ‘Area Development Programmes’. World Vision Hong Kong also promotes public education, raising public awareness about global issues such as poverty, hunger, health and child rights.

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